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THE 



SCIENCE OF MINDS 



Fundamentally Treated 



by 

Hugh Bliss Godlover 
Master of Science 




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Two Copies RecewuMS 

FEB 241^08 
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Copyright, 

1908, 

By Hugh Bliss Godlover. 






Preface. 

The content presented in this book is the result 
of pioneer-work and is thus far preliminary. Pre- 
liminary steps are therein taken to lay the foun- 
dation of a new science, the building-materials for 
which, though since long times provided, were 
not used for the formation of a systematic and 
logically consistent work. 

The same task undertaken by the various philo- 
sophical schools with, alas, often the most deplor- 
able results, is here carried on in a way which 
promises the hope for a successful result. The 
old problems as to the nature of the universal 
and the individual, the old enigmas of mind and 
matter constitute the task, the solution of which 
is offered in this work. 

As a pioneer work it was only achieved with 
difficulties and, indeed, after the overcoming of 
great many hardships. As in a preliminary work 
the subject-matter is yet fundamentally treated, 
but with the aim and hope to continue the enter- 
prise, till the building — the new Science of Minds 
— in its details is erected to the benefit of man- 
kind, and to the glory of God. 

H. B. GODLOVER. 



Table of Contents. 

Page 
The Scope, Definition and Methods of the 

Science of Minds 7 

Definition and Classification of Minds 8 

Activity and Individuality of Minds 9 

I. The Infinite Minds 10 

1. God 10 

2. Satan 10 

I. The Infinite Minds.. 10 

A. The Embodied State of Finite Minds 13 
Embodied Finite Minds 21 

1. Stars 21 

2. Chemical and Physical Corpuscles 23 

3. Minerals 26 

4. Plants 29 

5. Animals 32 

6. Mankind 36 

B. The Unembodied State of Finite Minds 42 



The Scope, Definition and Methods of the 
Science of Minds. 

The Science of Minds comprises all minds. 

Since minds and their actions constitute every 
reality, this science deals with the subject-matter 
of every special science. But its relations to them 
are of a different kind. Whereas it furnishes to 
all of them explanatory and fundamental prin- 
ciples, its further bearing upon some is quite 
slight, while others as e. g. Psychology it substi- 
tutes in considerable parts, and Metaphysics it 
even absorbs entirely. 

The Science of Minds has thus a universal 
scope, and may be defined as the science of 
sciences or, more detailed, as that systematized 
knowledge which has all realities for its objects. 

The methods employed by the Science of 
Minds are both deductive and inductive. To ver- 
ify the hypotheses of deductive reasoning which 
properly arise as inspirations, inductive means are 
used, including especially the psychological pro- 
cedure of introspection, and when actual instances 
are not sufficiently available, the argument of 
analogy. 



8 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

Definition and Classification of Minds. 

Minds or spirits are individual beings. 

Being implies the criterion of activity; individ- 
uality that of freedom. Furthermore, every activ- 
ity is somehow signified, which fact establishes 
the properties and character of minds. Preemin- 
ently general characteristics of minds are infinity 
and finiteness, goodness and evil. Accordingly 
the following categories of minds can be distin- 
guished : Infinite, finite, good, and evil minds. As 
finite minds vary by different degrees in their 
properties, the distinction can be drawn between 
souls and finite spirits properly so called; more- 
over, as they may exist in an embodied or disem- 
bodied state, finite minds can in this respect be 
classified in embodied and pure. 



Activity and Individuality of Minds. 

All minds are beings and exhibit therefore an 
activity. The actions of minds are those of their 
thinking, feeling, and willing faculties. Thinking 
is the cognizing, differentiating, and conjoining of 



ACTIVITY AND INDIVIDUALITY OF MINDS 9 

objects by concepts. Feeling involves the emo- 
tional activities, such as love and hatred. Will 
is mere power. The realization of the potentiali- 
ties of either faculty in an action. But every 
action of one faculty is at once more or less 
blended with those of the others. 

Individuality is likewise an attribute possessed 
by all minds. Individuality means independence 
or freedom. 



10 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

I. THE INFINITE MINDS. 

Next to the universal attributes of activity and 
individuality, those of degree and morality rank 
as the uppermost categories. Hence there are but 
two original, respectively infinite minds. 

The infinite, good mind is God. The infinite, 
evil mind is Satan. 

1. GOD. 

The infinitude of God is His perfection. God 
is neither restricted to particular space, nor to 
time-limitations. He is therefore eternal, omni- 
present, and omniscient, thinking infinitely 
many thoughts at once and cognizing minutest 
distinctions. He also possesses a universal power. 
The goodness of God implies creating, respecting 
and supporting minds. 

2. SATAN. 

Satan as an infinite mind is also eternal, omni- 
present, universally mighty, and omniscient. His 
evilness is realized by depraving, despising and 
hindering minds. 






THE FINITE MINDS 11 

II. THE FINITE MINDS. 

Finite minds are created by God. They are 
finite as to their activities, although their origina- 
tor is an infinite mind. They became finite in 
consequence of the counteraction of the infinite, 
evil mind, Satan, The latter is met by the crea- 
tures at the very act of their liberation as an ob- 
stacle, which hinders their existence. Satan's 
physical antagonism manifests itself merely in a 
negative sense, since an infinite being is motion- 
less. For the same reason God's further activity 
for His creatures after their coming into life con- 
sists in favoring their existence by only inspiring 
acts. The obstructing activity of Satan restricts 
the life-functions of the original creatures to an 
infinitesimal amount, but can never result in an- 
nihilation. Annihilation is impossible, for it con- 
tradicts the fundamental, cosmic principle of the 
conservation of life. 

But creatures reacting on the invigorating in- 
spirations of God realize their infinite potentiali- 
ties, though, on account of their freedom, differ- 
ently with respect to the singular faculties, 
and the latter themselves in the most divergent 
degrees. Whereas e. g. men have left the infini- 



12 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

tesimal state of their ancestors, and differ from 
them by having highly developed the cognitive 
faculty, and somewhat that of power, other finite 
minds have during the course of past ages mainly 
evolved the latter, and acquired such huge power 
as the stars. 

As God's inspirations are characterized by 
goodness, the according reactions of creatures can 
only be actions of love, what, very probably, they 
most frequently will be, since creatures are orig- 
inally also of good character. God leads His 
creatures to co-operation in which by evolution 
the realization of their faculties proceeds. The 
co-operation of a finite mind as principal for the 
moral purpose of self-realization is his embodi- 
ment. The co-operators themselves constitute the 
body. 



THE EMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 13 

A. The Embodied State of Finite Minds. 

Finite minds are restricted to limits in exercis- 
ing their faculty of power. Were rinite minds 
unobstructed the sphere of their dynamic activity 
would of course infinitely expand. To some de- 
gree an expansion in fact takes place, especially in 
consequence of some inspirations of God. But 
the latter are very different and frequently also 
towards the opposite direction. God acts accord- 
ing to system and design which comprises all 
finite minds of the universe. As the responsing 
actions of creatures differ greatly, God takes 
regard of this fact by harmonizing His inspira- 
tions, imparted to one of His creatures with those 
for others, that is for the whole rest. Thus His 
inspiring impulses vary, and are accordingly in 
an expanding or contracting direction. 

Beside the ordering inspirations of God, there 
are yet other factors determining the expanding 
and contracting activity of finite minds, namely, 
the disturbing inducements of Satan, further the 
stimuli received from other finite! minds, and 
lastly of course their spontaneous motives. Finite 
minds as free beings act spontaneously, and thus 
not only determine their own behavior, but exert 



14 the: science of minds 

also influence on that of fellow finite minds who 
reciprocally do this with regard to the former. 

All these factors combine to produce the great- 
est variety in the resulting actions. The interval 
between one action and the following constitutes 
the concept of time; the degree to which the 
expanding and contracting actions occur, that of 
space. Both of these concepts are implied in the 
concept of motion, that is a more or less long 
series of actions, by which a change of position 
of the agent to that of other finite minds is 
effected. As those elementary actions, so, con- 
sequently, the compound motions themselves are 
of very different kind. They are produced accord- 
ing to the individuality of the performer, his spon- 
taneous agility and vigor, and the vivacity with 
which he responds to foreign impulses. Thus 
while some motions are so faint, as hardly to be 
perceptible, others take place with the most ex- 
ceeding force. Motions vary from the simplest 
and uniform changes of position to the most artful 
and rhythmical vibrations. During the course of 
evolution some kind of motion became character- 
istic for the agent, and since all faculties are inti- 
mately connected, at once characterizing his 
entire individuality. 



THE EMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 15 

The dynamic activities of finite minds are thus 
of the greatest importance, and especially stand 
in close correlation with the process of formation 
of their bodies. The same factors influencing the 
former are, therefore, also involved in the latter 
occurrence. 



-$* 



Firstly it is God who according to His wise 
design builds up the bodies of finite minds. God 
as designer and builder of embodied finite minds 
is their continuous creator. God accomplishes 
this work by assembling finite minds through 
inspiration, according to the affinity of their char- 
acters. Minds possessing some characteristic, 
respectively the special ability to perform certain 
motions, are allied to minds who are not only 
wanting of this aptness, but possess one of oppo- 
site kind and, therefore, corresponding to that of 
the former. Hence the expanding actions of the 
one will fit to the contracting actions of the other, 
and by this the minds become tied and knit 
together. By such a unification of a vast number 
of minds a body-system is built up. 



16 THE SCIENCE 01* MINDS 

Since the embodiment lasts for some time, the 
constituent minds become not only accustomed 
to those peculiarities of their neighbors to which 
they are already adapted, but as during that time 
changes in properties take possibly place, they 
reciprocally habituate themselves also to these 
new aptitudes. When then after dissolution of 
the body its constituents are freed, they will 
exactly fit for a similar co-operation and, having 
become familiar with a certain species of minds, 
they will directly seek the co-operators with 
whom they suit. 

Habits thus play in this process a highly im- 
portant role, especially as regards those finite 
minds, which are yet at lower stages of evolution, 
where the cognitive faculty is quite rudimentary. 
These individuals, therefore, almost entirely lack 
spontaneous decisions, but rather passively follow 
external impulses. Now, habits are acquired by 
the individual within time; furthermore are trans- 
mitted according to the principK: of heredity to 
the offspring; the latter, again, with more or 
less slight variations, entails them on his own 
descendants, and so on, till after long ages those 
habits become established laws. Thus natural 
laws comprise a series of facts, from which they 



THE EMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 17 

evolved. Natural laws cannot, therefore, in their 
efficiency suddenly be suspended, because the 
producing facts cannot be simply revoked. But a 
derogation of natural laws would require a time- 
period proportionate to that during which they 
arose, and an adequate reverse bearing of all 
those factors who have been involved in their 
establishment. Slight sudden changes certainly 
occur in the physical world, and minute ones 
probably every moment, since even the agents 
constituting nature are principally free beings. 
In so far can, therefore, only in a relative sense 
of a uniformity of nature be spoken. But such 
gross mutations as e. g., a reembodiment of 
human minds, with overleaping all phylogenetic 
and ontogenetic facts, are absolutely inconceiv- 
able. Therefore unless habits are not yet ac- 
quired by'the individual, respectively natural laws 
have not yet become efficient, God cannot essen- 
tially and instantly change the behaviour of those 
unconscious, finite minds, properly involved in 
executing a natural law. Moreover, God acts 
according to system which comprises in its range 
the infinite universe, and cannot, therefore, arbi- 
trarily attend to a particular fad, but has to 
reconcile all facts in their immense multitude. 



18 the science: of minds 

Therefore, great as the influence of God is with 
regard to intelligent, receptive minds, and with 
regard to those of inferior minds which do not yet 
act by habits, limited is His modifying control 
over the finite minds that properly produce the 
physical phenomena. The limits of the physical 
world are at once those of Divine miracles. 

The second factor taking influence on the 
structure of the body is Satan. Of course his 
activity in this respect is only disturbing, and by 
malicious inspiration of creatures to destruction 
he causes corruption and degeneration, in the 
removal of which finite minds are preeminently 
aided by God. 

The third factor engaged in the molding of the 
body is the embodied finite mind himself. Among 
the assemblage of minds representing the body 
gradually arises one who, because -of his superior 
qualities, gains an overwhelming influence over 
the rest, and becomes the governing and prevail- 
ing agent at the formation-process of the body. 
The individual thus presiding over the inferior 
body-constituents is by their aid put in the condi- 
tion to perform actions that alone he were too 



THE EMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 19 

weak to accomplish. Moreover, while exerting 
his influence he attains the development of his 
faculties. As the exercise of the faculties involves 
the use of the body, the body develops accord- 
ingly, as the development of the directing indi- 
vidual proceeds. Hence at higher stages of 
evolution, where the body already possesses 
organization, by a special use of the body, special 
organs develop. The principal mind thus im- 
presses his individuality upon the body, while 
the latter, on the other side, symbolizes in its 
properties more or less the character of the 
former. 

The last factor decisive for the constitution oi 
the body is its environment. The individual lives 
not isolated, but stays in a universe of minds by 
which he is persistently more or less affected. He 
is part of the vast unified whole. Influences of 
the environment coerce the individual to take 
regard of it by proper adapting his attitude. 
While some of the impulses received from the 
surroundings are favorable to his development, 
others on the contrary blight his activities. 
Thence the individual is impelled to realize his 
faculties, to exercise his organs, and to acquire 



20 THE SCIENCE OE MINDS 

adequate qualities. That who is most fitted will 
of course survive. In this struggle creatures are 
also supported, above all, by God, and as God 
patronizes necessarily only good actions, the best 
will gain the victory. 

All these factors contribute to produce the 
most abundant variety of bodies, as we meet 
them on the heaven as stars, and on earth as men, 
animals, plants, minerals, till down to those 
corpuscles with which physics and chemistry 
deals. 



STARS 21 

Embodied Finite Minds. 

1. STARS. 

A most peculiar mode of embodiment of finite 
minds is that of stars. Out of the vast chaotic 
mass of His unconscious creatures God brings 
into being those gigantic bodies, on which after 
enormous ages of continuous metamorphosis and 
development His rational children are born. The 
formation of a nuclear portion in a confused neb- 
ular mass marks the beginning of a star-body. 
Under the designing direction of God some of 
those unconscious, finite minds, superior in activ- 
ity to its fellow-minds, gathers around it a multi- 
tude of the latter to live with them in community. 
At first it is a whirl of fiery vapor from which the 
future sidereal body evolves, but gradually this 
gyrating vapor comes to some order, performs 
its movements with more constancy, and having 
monstrously increased in size, commences by a 
continuous contracting of its mass to solidify. 
Thus the fierce, incandescent vapor passes into a 
glowing, molten mass which slowly on its surface 
cools and hardens. But as this process is not 
uniform, the crust which has been formed cracks 



22 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

in many regions, and the crevices and elevations 
become grounds of valleys and mountains. Sur- 
rounded above by an atmosphere, inclosing within 
the various rocks and minerals, consisting on its 
surface of soil and water, the star-body furnishes 
the conditions for further differentiation and 
development. 

Such is in brief outline the evolution-process of 
stars analogously to that through which our 
earth has passed. The latter itself is part of the 
solar system, therefore the sun is intimately con- 
nected with the life on earth, but himself the 
independent center of the system. 

Infinite is the number of stellar systems in the 
infinite space. Incalculably many suns with enor- 
mous speed periodically circumscribe their vast 
orbits, carrying with them planets and moons 
which they with huge power attract. All these 
celestial bodies have a limited embodied life, pass- 
ing from infancy and full grown age to senility 
and decay, though their lifetime comprises enor- 
mous ages. Of course, with their fate is bound 
that of their inhabitants ; and would they sud- 
denly die, certainly would then also the latter 
perish. But sudden world-catastrophes cannot 
take place, for starminds are unconscious minds 



CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CORPUSCLES 23 

and, therefore, subject to natural laws in which 
sudden breakages, without gradual transitions, 
never occur. Therefore stars in their old age, 
slowly fade away, and when they die, they are 
desert and barren. 



2. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL 
CORPUSCLES. 

The constituents of which the substance of the 
earth, its atmosphere and matter in general con- 
sist, are in the last resort all alike; they are all 
finite spirits. Inductively this is proved by the 
periodic law of chemistry. This law states that 
the chemical elements are all related to each 
other, it classifies them into families, and bases 
this proposition upon the fact that their proper- 
ties are functions of their atomic weights. If then 
all ultimate constituents of matter are character- 
ized by the same principle, it follows that they 
essentially equal. 

But what is the meaning of that principle? 
What does the concept of weight imply? The 
weight of a body is a result of the gravitational 



24 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

force. As every force also the latter exhibits, 
at least, two aspects, namely, the activities of two 
factors which in this case are the earth and the 
body. Since the ultimate particles of matter 
have weight, they thereby prove themselves as 
active. They are agents or beings, for to be is 
to act. Moreover, as ultimate particles they are 
individual, and as restricted in their activity to a 
limited space they are finite. The ultimate par- 
ticles of matter or atoms are therefore finite, 
individual beings or finite minds. 

The atoms are unconscious, finite minds. They 
are in a dreamlike state, and their faculties, except 
that of power, are in a most rudimentary condi- 
tion. Perceptibly they manifest themselves, 
therefore, merely as forces. All forces are 
reducible to actions of either contracting i. e., 
centripetal, or expanding i. e., centrifugal direc- 
tion. If exerted in the same direction these ele- 
mentary activities result in a repulsion of the 
agents, if in different direction in an attraction, 
and are immersed in the concept of motion, if 
considered in their time and space aspects. Thus 
every motion, because involving an activity of 
the power faculty, is an expenditure of potential 
energy which at the performance of the motion 



CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CORPUSCLES 25 

in kinetic energy is converted. The velocity with 
which motions proceed and their diverse char- 
acter in wave-motions determine the sensations 
which they produce in the perceiver. Relatively 
quick motions are perceived as heat, those of less 
velocity as cold ; motions of very rapid velocity 
produce the sensation of light, the color of which 
depends on the wave-length of this motion. Vi- 
brations proceeding especially in air as medium 
arouse sound-sensations, whereas the producing 
of electric oscillations, and the intensity of the 
magnetic state is foremostly connected with the 
nature of the medium. 

The latter, that is matter, indeed displays the 
greatest variety. The internal structure of matter 
is determined by the complexity of arrangement 
of its constituents. The simplest modes of struc- 
ture belong to the so-called ethereal scate of mat- 
ter. Ether-matter, because of its subtlety and 
tenuity, is naturally imperceptible by human 
sense-organs. To a limited degree perceptible are 
gases, whereas quite perceptible, even for the 
lower senses, is matter in its liquid and solid state 
of aggregation. 

Solids, liquids and gases are built up of mole- 
cules; and the latter themselves of compounds 



26 the: science; of minds 

which only by extraordinary means are dissol- 
uble. The ultimate constituents of matter, viz., 
its real atoms, those unconscious finite minds are, 
because of their most minute magnitude, of 
course inaccessible for sense-experience. 

Molecules are held together by molecular 
forces, while the more refined compounds are 
linked by chemical and ethereal forces. Forces, 
respectively the modes of motion in which they 
exhibit themselves, are convertible into each other 
without perceptible loss. The conservation of 
energy which is thus greatly maintained, is ex- 
plainable by the fact that the agents which ulti- 
mately constitute matter act mechanically i. e., by 
habits, for they are unconscious, finite minds. 



3. MINERALS. 



The lowest stage in the evolutional scale, as 
far as obvious to the unaided human senses, is 
maintained by minerals. This class of matter 
includes not only the earth's substance, but also 
its atmosphere that represents minerals in a 
gaseous state of aggregation. In their solid state 



MINERALS 27 

minerals differ from other material substances by 
their, usually, excessive hardness. Moreover, all 
minerals are morphologically characterized by 
the property of crystalizing. Crystals are bodies 
of symmetrical shape, and especially distin- 
guished by having a body composed of planes 
that meet in straight lines and subtend angles. 
The formation of crystals proceeds from a minute 
particle of the mineral substance as a center, 
the nucleus, around which other minute constit- 
uents of the same mineral accrue, effecting thus 
an external growth of it. Minerals are, therefore, 
of homogeneous substance, which itself presents 
some chemical compound. As chemical com- 
pounds are built up of elements, and the latter 
themselves are ultimately reducible to uncon- 
scious, finite minds, the nucleus, consequently, 
contains the principal, finite spirit that in the 
process of crystalization attains embodiment. 

This form of embodied life is primitive enough. 
Neither does there any visible, external motion 
take place, nor internally a change of substance 
occur. Minerals live a still and rigid life. Since, 
then, owing to the absence of vigorous activities 
the mineral, especially the nucleus, remains in 
the same composition after the dissolution of the 



28 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

crystal, as at entering the crystalization, the 
nucleus, respectively the finite spirit inclosed in 
it, may, without an overleap of philogenetic and 
ontogenetic antecedents, so far embody again 
and again till, having overcome this lethargic 
state, it reaches a stage, where in activity and 
progress it may display its slumbering poten- 
tialities. 

Crystals are not only in their substance homo- 
geneous, but also of uniform external structure, 
lacking whatever special organs. For the latter 
reason minerals are separated as anorgana from 
other bodies that possess structural differentia- 
tion. But that an absolute distinction between 
inorganic and organic bodies does not exist, is 
evident from the facts that science succeeded in 
synthetizing simpler forms of organic matter 
from inorganic, further that the former contains 
no element which is not found in the latter. 



PLANTS 29 



4. PLANTS. 



Plants are organisms or embodied, more or 
less developed, unconscious finite minds. Their 
bodies consist of organized matter. The passing 
from inorganic to organic matter and to organ- 
isms does not without gradual transition take 
place, and though spontaneous generation, that 
is the production of organisms from crude inor- 
ganic or even organic matter has not been exper- 
imentally accomplished, nevertheless nature fur- 
nishes abundant organisms that do not much 
differ from mere matter. Such organisms con- 
sisting of a single cell vindicate their position 
on the stage of biological development by exhibit- 
ing the fundamental and characteristic biological 
functions, namely, metabolism and reproduction, 
but of special organs for performing these phe- 
nomena they are entirely wanting. 

Higher developed life thus proceeds from 
single cell-organisms that in botany by the 
protophytes are represented, and correspond to 
the simple germ cells from which multicellular 
plants develop. As single cells both protophytes 
and germs possess as essential part the nucleus. 
Here as in unorganic crystals the seat of the 



30 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

directing spirit is located. But whereas anorgana 
are growing from without by apposition of homo- 
generous particles upon the nucleus, organisms 
are characterized by an interior growth. As 
regards the latter itself the nucleus is of the 
greatest importance. Consisting chemically of 
protoplasm, the proper living matter of the cell, 
the nucleus possesses the property of converting 
the crude, inorganic particles which were 
absorbed in the cell, into organic substance, the 
bulk of the building-material of the plant-body. 
From this it is obvious that especially the direct- 
ing agent operating in protophytes or one of 
the germ-cells, exerts in plants a more thorough- 
going influence upon the body than in crystals. 
This fact is at once an explanation for the higher 
development of plants, and the deeper differences 
between botanical specimens. Plant-spirits pos- 
sessing more vigor and irritability, respond more 
readily upon the stimuli received from without, 
and not only are able to express their individual- 
ity in the responsing actions, but also in some 
degree spontaneously to effect mutation of their 
bodies. In consequence of these facts they, 
especially, adapt the latter to the environment 
according to the functions required. As the 



PLANTS 31 

needs and necessities to be satisfied by them vary 
with different food-supply and external circum- 
stances, it follows that also their bodies will 
display abundant variance. And here lies a 
remarkable distinction between plants and min- 
erals. Whereas samples of mineral substances 
from all parts of the globe, because of the rigid- 
ity and inertness of the determinative constituent- 
factors, morphologically almost entirely equal 
each other, plants grown in different zones vary 
widely in shape. But also structurally plants 
already attained to most conspicuous differentia- 
tion. For performing diverse functions plants 
possess special organs. This specialization is 
remarkably realized in their reproductive organs, 
and flowering plants have even reached the stage 
of sexual reproduction. Also for effecting the 
other characteristic, biological function, namely, 
metabolism plants have developed proper organs. 
Roots and leaves serve to this purpose, the former 
being nutritive organs, the latter organs for tran- 
spiration. 

Plants absorb dissolved, mineral substances 
from the soil, and dioxide gas from the atmos- 
phere. Under the influence of sunlight this gas 
is decomposed, and of its carbon-constituents 



32 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

with other elementary ingredients higher chem- 
ical compounds are formed. Thus the kinetic 
energy of the sun becomes converted into the 
potential energy of those preparates, which partly 
by plants themselves are used for their susten- 
ance, partly by other organisms as their food. 
These considerations in connection with the fact 
that men and animals can also as regards oxygen- 
supply avail themselves of the unconscious aid of 
plants, prove clearly the benevolent, teleological 
aspect of nature, namely, the wise providence of 
God. 



5. ANIMALS. 



Descending as plants from the same ancestry, 
namely from unicellular organisms, animals 
however, have reached a higher stage of develop- 
ment. This they achieved by virtue of their finer 
susceptibility towards external influences, and 
their more active vivacity with which they re- 
sponded to such impulses. Therefore, though 
even plants display an abundance of varieties in 
form and structure, the variability exhibited in 
the fauna surpasses by far that of the flora. 



ANIMALS 33 

Directly are variations due to the amount of 
functions performed by the individual, and to the 
degree of activity. Corresponding to activity 
and functions the development of organs takes 
place. That the activity expended by animals is 
quantitatively so considerable, is to explain by 
their mode of nutrition, and the way of employ- 
ment of the nutriments. Animals feed by sub- 
stances in which great amounts of potential 
energy are accumulated, that they mostly expend 
for performing external work. The latter, re- 
spectively the functions of the body, comprise a 
relatively wide range. But as the functions 
increase the body becomes more heterogeneous, 
and by adapting itself to the respective require- 
ments special organs are formed. Thus animals 
gradually acquire diverse muscles for executing 
of work, and lastly a nerve-system which in addi- 
tion to their locomotion and peculiar mode of 
nutrition characteristically distinguishes them 
from plants. 

Nerve-organs are of course differently devel- 
oped with different animals. While in animal- 
cules special nerve-organs are entirely absent, 
and the single cell that constitutes the whole 
body, performs also sensory functions, higher 



34 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

developed animals possess for this purpose special 
nerve-organs which in the highest, zoological 
groups become completely systematized. As 
with the possession of nerve-organs the sensibil- 
ity of the body is connected, that is, the animal's 
capability of feeling pleasures and pains, it fol- 
lows that, while to animalcules but dim feelings 
can be ascribed, real pains and pleasures only as 
regards animals with nerve-system can be spoken 
of. The main part of a nerve-system is the brain 
that superintends the rest of the body, and, as a 
co-ordinating center especially accomplishes an 
integration of the different bodily parts. And, 
indeed, such a consolidating organ becomes nec- 
essary at this stage of bodily development, where 
the specialization of functions according to the 
economic principle of division of labor is 
brought to such an efficiency. As muscles are the 
special organs for executing volitions, so the 
brain is the special organ, where these psychical 
acts originate. Moreover, not only blind will- 
determinations, but also other mental activities 
are produced in the animal-brain, though of 
course to a very different extent. The brain, 
especially the pineal gland-region has, therefore, 
to be considered as the location of the embodied 



ANIMALS 35 

animal-spirit that presides over the whole bodily 
system. Consequently the assemblage of mind- 
constituents or the body that has lost the brain 
will, if not immediately dissolve and die, persist 
in an only ephemeral existence, and, because of 
want of the directing agent, in a very precarious 
manner perform its functions. 

Its keener sensibility and more impulsive indi- 
viduality renders the higher developed animal- 
spirit also capable of activities pertaining to the 
higher, mental faculties. Receiving in the brain 
through nerve-fibres changes produced by the 
outer world in the special sense-organs, it 
becomes aware of them by apprehending those 
mere sense-impressions as perceptions. Holding 
them permanently for recollection, reinstating 
them at the reception of new ones, correlating and 
associating the latter with the former, but pre- 
eminently by its capability of producing spon- 
taneous, mental actions it has thus reached a 
higher, mental stage. 

It is true that animals, regularly, do not sur- 
pass the stage of indistinct and unreliable in- 
stincts; yet even in this condition they are not 
only able — of course by the aid of Divine inspira- 
tions — to provide the means for their support, 



36 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

to detect their shelter, to improve the same with 
often admirable skill, and to evade their enemies 
with astonishing shrewdness, in short, to perform 
actions of self-love, but in following their sexual 
instincts they prove in some way also love to 
their mates, and many of them give, moreover, 
evidence of tender feelings to their offspring. 
Thus animals have made a considerable progress 
on the road of evolution towards its goal, that is, 
the recognition of the creatures' original property, 
love. 



6. MANKIND. 



The highest level of realization of their cog- 
nitive faculty finite minds have reached on earth 
in men. Though in the animal-world we also 
meet highly developed and remarkably differenti- 
ated individuals, yet the intellectual qualities that 
even the uppermost species of this class of crea- 
tures, viz., anthropoid apes, attained, are quite in- 
significant in comparison with those achieved by 
mankind. Bodily indeed the differences between 
both are less striking. For also some of the apes 



MANKIND 37 

have an erect walk, they, too, use their upper ex- 
tremities as hands, and their anatomical charac- 
teristics indicate at least that both apes and men 
have descended from a common, ancestral stock. 
Especially corroborated is this assumption by the 
resemblance of the human brain with that of apes. 
Except some inconspicuous convolutions on its 
surface the former differs structurally little from 
the ape-brain. But how different are the func- 
tions that this bodily mechanism performs in 
men and in animals ! While the latter have 
hardly surpassed the perceptual stage of intel- 
lectual development, and are absolutely unable of 
articulate speech, the human mind lias through 
the dawning of his perceptual period arrived to 
the light of the ideal stage, thus to the most ad- 
vanced degree realizing the capacities of his cog- 
nitive faculty. 

Ideas and perceptions are different. Both of 
these psychical facts, if true, must be based on 
ideas of quite different character that, as pre-em- 
tions are, more or less, mediately derived from 
sensual experience, yet there also exist some 
ideas of quite different character that, as pre-em- 
inently the Divine idea, regularly originate from 
other sources. Those sources are transcendent 



38 the: science: of minds 

to the senses. Of the great number of ideas in- 
corporated in language are especially these which 
were inspired to men. They differ essentially 
from ideas of the former kind and from sensa- 
tions themselves. For their 'character is not 
merely subjective, that is, depending on the em- 
bodied mind who forms them, respectively his in- 
constant sensations, but of absolute validity. 

By concepts abstracted from perceptions, and 
ideas especially inspired to him by his Creator, 
man was able to give his life a course, widely di- 
vergent from that of animals'. To this new mode 
of life men have indeed only gradually arrived, 
and great were their struggles that had preceded, 
ere they overcame the darkness of their mental 
infancy. But having once attained to the light of 
reason, the mature human mind proceeded fur- 
ther in fast progress, and vast are the advance- 
ments that modern man has achieved, and that 
distinguish him from his primitive ancestors. 
Modern civilization and its daily improvements 
veiify this. 

It may be assumed that the life of the prehis- 
toric troglodyte will not have much differed from 
that of higher brutes. Like they he squats with 
his mate and offspring in a cave that he leaves, 



MANKIND 39 

when hunger drives him to seek after food. Prey- 
ing on the animal-world which he hunts with 
weapons coarsely made of sticks or stones, he 
feeds on their meat without much preparation. 

It is when man learns to tame and to domesti- 
cate animals, that a new epoch in his civilization 
commences. Care for his cattle employs him 
steadily, and by employment with regular work 
human life becomes more peaceful. Cruel sav- 
age-habits are thus stripped off. But also at this 
stage man is far from a harmonious, steady life, 
and without fixed abode roams the nomado, when 
the foodstuffs for his herds are exhausted. Wan- 
dering from place to place, and parting at some 
from family-members, he distributes the race over 
the earth. At these wanderings he visits differ- 
ent regions, till he chooses one that attracts him 
by the fertility of its soil. Detecting grains there 
among the grasses he comes to learn the value of 
cereals, begins to cultivate them, and tills the 
ground. 

Thus human civilization passes from the no- 
mado-period to the agricultural stage. But agri- 
cultural work requires implements which, as his 
clothes and household goods, the farmer has 
neither time nor skill enough himself to manufac- 



40 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

ture. Beside, the soil yields him more products 
than he and his family need for their support. 
The selling of the superfluous remainder to peo- 
ple who demand it and the finding of right pur- 
chasers also requires a special knowledge that the 
farmer does not possess. This and the former 
business become therefore occupations of special 
tradesmen. The latter for reasons of safety and 
convenience locate their shops and stores on suit- 
able places such as around churches, mission- 
stations or governmental castles. There cities 
are built up, and handicrafts as well as commerce 
profitably carried on. When by accumulation of 
capital under the control of a few individuals 
centralization of the many smaller enterprises 
into a few large concerns, that are in the condi- 
tion more economically to supply the demands of 
the market, is effected, the industrial period of 
human civilization is inaugurated. 

In cities life is conducted in ways different from 
those in the country. The multitude of people 
assembled there come continuously in contact. 
Social and political life thus fast and liberally 
develops, and for regulating of the affairs result- 
ing from both, moreover, for adjudicating of the 
now quite complicated private interests laws are 



MANKIND 41 

promulgated. By division of labor men specialize 
themselves to vocations for which they possess 
the greatest abilities, and consequently commodi- 
ties are produced that also answer the more re- 
fined tastes. 

But man cannot find satisfaction in sensual 
pleasures, he longs after a higher goal. He seeks 
it in art and science. When studied deeply 
enough either opens him the truth ; the truth that, 
though less consciously, and therefore stained by 
errors, was recognized by the simple, human in- 
tellect long ago ; the truth that human satisfaction 
and happiness follow from love, and that with 
infinite love men are embraced by their Creator. 
Having thus come to conceive their true origin 
and final goal men have at once reached their 
salvation and evolution its purpose. 



42 THE) SCIENCE OF MINDS 

B. The Unembodied State of Finite 

Minds. 

The part of the Science of Minds comprised by 
this topic, pertains to a subject entirely metaphy- 
sical, i. e., beyond sensual experience. Therefore, 
the deductions here to be drawn, will like those 
concerning the infinite minds have to be verified 
by the special, inductive modes of introspection 
and analogy. Thus statements will firstly be 
demonstrated relating the human soul, and from 
this basis to inferences arrived with respect to 
the other finite minds. 

In addition to the arguments already produced 
as to the existence of principal finite minds, re- 
spectively of the human soul, there may yet be 
furnished some further evidence. As commonly 
known the human body changes its whole sub- 
stance during life in consequence of the metabol- 
ism permanently proceeding in it. Yet notwith- 
standing this fact there abide the characteristics 
of the individual in those changes, and especially 
is this the case with his memory-experiences. 
Thus it is evident that in the organism an agent 
must exist who imparts his properties to the 



THE UNEMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 43 

bodily constituents. Possessing the attribute of 
thought and capable of will-determinations, he 
controls the life-course of the body as a whole, as 
well as its particular movements. Thus he func- 
tions as a unifying principle with regard to the 
mere mechanical conglomeration represented by 
the body. Itself a unity the ego is indissoluble 
and indestructible. It therefore survives the dis- 
solution of the body, it is immortal. 

But the immortality of the human soul is only 
a special case of the universal law of the conser- 
vation of life, respectively the impossibility of its 
annihilation. This general truth, as confirmed by 
considering of both human immortality, and of 
the fact that man himself evolved from lower 
creatures, more or less closely allied to him, leads 
to the conclusion that immortality has to be ad- 
mitted to all finite minds. Every finite spirit is 
imperishable, every soul has an everlasting, pure- 
spiritual life. 

That this afterlife of finite minds will greatly 
differ from their former embodied state, and that 
their activities will be other than those during the 
embodied life follows from the different conditions 
to which finite minds are respectively subject. In 
the embodied state the principal, finite mind is 



44 THE SCIENCE OE MINDS 

concatenated with inferior ones, the body-con- 
stituents, that he directs, and by that in turn his 
power is increased. By this a peculiar state is 
brought about in consequence of which the soul 
can regularly become aware only of such affec- 
tions by the outer world as are conveyed into it 
by the body, and perceived by it as sensations. 
But the body possesses only a limited number of 
special senses, the avenues through which external 
influences are properly received ; moreover, each 
of these receivers is adapted to stimuli of a certain 
kind. Thus the optic nerve reacts normally only 
on oscillations, characterized by the length of 
waves and their velocity; and similar circum- 
stances can be assumed as the presupposition for 
a normal function of the auditory, olfactory, gus- 
tatory and tactual nerves. By these limitations 
the soul is confined with regard to the compass of 
its perceiving the outer world, so that the body 
thus obscures its apprehensiveness. 

On the other side it is the body that furnishes 
to the principal finite mind the necessary strength 
to overcome the dead point of his initial lethargy, 
in order to start in a vigorous way the develop- 
ment of his faculties. Thus finite minds pass first 
through a perceptive stage before reaching that 

LOfC 



THE UNEMBODIED STATE OF FINITE MINDS 45 

of abstract thought, the proper function of their 
cognitive faculty. Thinking enables man to ar- 
rive to broader views concerning the external 
reality. He concludes that the latter does not 
merely consist of objects immediately apprehen- 
sible by his senses, but that beside this apparent 
sensual world there exist also realms in that life 
manifests itself in forms which, because of their 
subtlety, remain hidden to the normal senses. 
Thus men also come to recognize the existence of 
the pure-spiritual realm, their own destiny after 
leaving the body. 

But the thinking activity suffers in many ways 
during embodiment. The process of abstraction 
and the precise conjoining of concepts requires 
an intense focusing of the individual's attention 
to the object, and this pursuit is easily disturbed 
and diverted by disarrangements of the body or 
even by the satisfaction of its regular wants. The 
turbulent eddies and tedious struggles of the 
ordinary life impede therefore most men from a 
proper exercising their thinking faculty, so that 
indeed rarely the moments occur, when the soul 
in ecstasy and enthusiasm, releasing the body's 
obscuring spectacles, attains some clearer views, 



46 the science; of minds 

and, as it were by sudden flashes, gains an intui- 
tive insight into truth. 

What thus scarce and seldom is afforded during 
embodiment is the natural privilege of the soul 
in its pure-spiritual life. Fully can it then grasp 
truth, and comprehend the cosmos that now pre- 
sents itself open in its vast extent. Of course, 
as the process of comprehending has a double 
aspect, so the cognition of that grand object also 
presupposes a subject capable of such cognizing. 
Not every mind, passing into the new life will, 
therefore, equally participate of truth. Spirits of 
plants and animals that while embodied did not 
surpass the stage of crude sensations will in their 
dim, dreamy state be unaware of the marvels re- 
pletely displayed in the pure-spiritual realm. For 
them the change of conditions will be of little 
significance. 

But quite otherwise for intelligent minds. To 
the exertion and gratification of their faculties 
a field is there offered of infinite range. With 
most cheerful hope they may enter the spheres, 
for happiness and bliss awaits them. Human 
souls will meet there their deceased, dear relatives 
and friends, and be welcomed by them. The 
bonds of love that connected them closely on 



THE UNEMBODIKD STATE OF FINITE MINDS 47 

earth, and only temporarily were suspended by 
death, will be renewed ; family-life and friendship 
rejoiced as before. Then new acquaintances will 
be made, and new friendships be entered. But to 
the pleasures of intercourse with these minds will 
the appeasing satisfaction be added of having con- 
tact with beloved persons, living yet on earth, 
though by them not apprehended under regular 
conditions. Parents will thus share the welfare 
of their children, patriots the prosperity of their 
country, and philanthropists the progress of man- 
kind. Without, therefore, being excluded from 
the physical world, there will, moreover, to the 
unembodied mind also be available of course the 
wonderful advantages and sublime amusements 
of the pure-spiritual life. Scientists will be 
amazed and delighted of the abundant facilities 
for their pursuit, artists attentively admire the 
magnific monuments of the creation, and suscep- 
tible minds will with awe listen to the incessant 
music of the spheres. And all of them free and 
redeemed from the pains and cares of the body, 
finding themselves in a congenial environment, 
where they neither to darkness nor tempests are 
ever exposed, will also contently discharge the 
duties of their new life. And these will not only 



48 THE SCIENCE OF MINDS 

be duties concerning their own development, but 
also that of fellowminds whom they with benevo- 
lence and readily will assist in their similar aspi- 
rations. 

Thus by self-endeavor and co-operation an ever 
increasing number of souls will, in infinite prog- 
ress, be brought nearer to the goal of their life, 
to the attainment of consciousness, to conscious 
love, the property which, in addition to the in- 
finite capabilities of their faculties, all finite minds 
innately possess from their origin and Creator, 
from God. 



Index, 



Abstraction, 38, 45 
Activity, 8 
Afterlife, 43, 46-48 
Agricultural stage, 39 
Analogy, argument of, 7 
Animals, 32 
Anorgana, 28 
Annihilation, impossibil- 
ity of, 11 
Atoms, 24, 26 

B 

Biological functions, 29 
Body, 12, 15 
Brain, 34, 37 



Characteristics, 8 

Chemical corpuscles, 23 

Cold, 25 

Concepts, 38 

Consciousness, 48 

Conservation of life, prin- 
ciple of the, 43; of en- 
ergy, 26 

Contraction, 13 

Creator, 10, 11, 15 

Creatures, 11 

Crystals, 27 



Deduction, 7 



E 

Earth, 22 

Electric oscillations, 25 
Embodiment, 12, 21 
Energy, potential, 24; 

kinetic, 25 
Environment, 19 
Evil, 8, 10 
Evolution, its purpose, 12, 

41 
Expansion, 13 



Feeling faculty, 8 
Finite minds, 11 
Finiteness, 8 
Force, 24 
Freedom, 9 

G 

God, 10 

Goodness, 8, 10 
Gravitation, force of, 24 

H 

Habits, 16 

Happiness, 41 

Heat, 25 

Heredity, principle of, 16 



Ideas, 37 
Immortality, 43 
Individual, nature of, 3 



INDEX 



Individuality, 8, 9 
Induction, 7 
Industrial period, 40 
Infinite minds, 10 
Infinity, 8, 11 
Inspiration, 42, 46 
Instincts, 35 
Introspection, 7 



Light, 25 

Love, 9, 36, 41, 48 

M 

Magnetism, 25 

Mankind, 36 

Matter, 23, 25 

Minds, definition and 

classification of, 8 
Miracles, 18 
Molecules, 25 
Motion, 14, 24 
Muscles, 33, 34 

N 

Nature, uniformity of, 17 
Natural laws, 16 
Nerve-system, 33 
Nomads, 39 
Nucleus, 21, 27, 29 



Organs, 19, 31, 33 
Organic matter, 28 
Organisms, 29 



Pains, 34 

Perceptions, 35, 37 
Periodic law, 23 
Pineal gland, 34 
Plants, 29 
Pleasures, 34 
Potentialities, infinite of 

finite minds, 11 
Power, 9 
Property, 8 
Protoplasm, 30 
Providence of God, 32' 



Reality, 7 
Reason, 38 
Reembodiment, 17 



Satan, 10 

Science of minds, its 

scope, definition and 

methods, 7 
Sensations, 25, 44 
Souls, 8 
Sound, 25 
Space, 14, 24 
Spirits, definition of, 8 
Spontaneity of finite 

minds, 13 
Stars, 21 
Sun, 22 



INDEX 111 

T Universal, nature of, 3 

Thinking faculty, 8 Universe, 17, 19 

Time, 14, 24 V 

Troglodyte, 38 . 

Varieties, 20, 31, 33 

U W 

Unembodied state of finite Weight, 23 
minds, 42 Will, 9 



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